We woke up this morning to find an elf in our family room. Our neighbors seem to think he is part of the "Elf On The Shelf" program but we are still not sure. He doesn't talk, just sits around watching us and eats all of our food. I'm just glad he's wearing a diaper. If anything changes I will let you know. #rocktheelf #elfontheshelf

One genius dad is making headlines this holiday season for turning his chubby-cheeked 4-month-old son, Rockwell, into the Elf on the Shelf.

We have to admit, Utah dad Alan Lawrence's take on the playful elf that has taken America's homes by storm is super adorable, and admittedly much less creepy than the original doll version. 

"All of our friends do the Elf on the Shelf and I've always thought it was sort of creepy, but sort of fun - this idea of an elf coming to live in your home and moving around to different places," Lawrence told Today. "And I'm like, what if it was a real elf? And of course, being parents, we already have the cutest little 4-month-old. So we decided to make a fun series." 

So the elf is still hanging around. I made pancakes this morning but we had to eat them without syrup because he wouldn't let us touch it - just sat on our bananas and watched us eat. Hoping to get more answers today about how long he plans on staying. #rocktheelf #elfontheshelf

The proud dad posted the images to his website, That Dad Blog, along with other social media accounts associated with the blog. And we have to say, we're obsessed.

You can catch the little elf being a not-so-nice helper in the adorable photo series. From stuffing cookies into the VCR player to annoying his big brother, Will, this Elf on the Shelf is up to no good.

Okay this elf needs to go back to the Candy Cane forest or wherever he came from. Today was the second day Wil misses his nap because this elf woke him up to tell him Narwhal jokes. #rocktheelf #elfontheshelf #wilcanfly

If you're concerned about the tot falling off of his perches, don't worry. Lawrence is actually holding the little guy up and then edits himself out of the pictures later. He's not new to Internet fame, either. He did a photo project with his son Will, who has Down syndrome, to make him appear as though he's flying and to ultimately raise awareness of the condition. 

"It's funny because I thought, I'm sure someone has done this before," Lawrence toldToday. "But everyone is responding and mentioning a friend to say, 'Hey, you should do this with Sally!' or talking about doing it with their own kids."

Flipped on the lights and caught him red handed. Somebody needs to start earning his keep around here. #rocktheelf #elfontheshelf

Hopefully if anyone tries it at home, they get a baby as photogenic as Rockwell.

"He's just a good-natured kid," Lawrence gushed to Today. "He'll be laughing and looking up at me, exactly what we need for the shot. It's almost like he knows what we're trying to accomplish."

Tonight was the first night the elf ate dinner with us. He never broke eye contact with me the entire dinner. I asked him repeatedly to get off the table but he would just throw noodles at me. #rocktheelf #elfontheshelf